Christmas Cards Day 2 of 4

Christmas Cards Day 1 of 4

Hi Everyone,

For the next four days I am going to be extremely busy getting cards cut for my Christmas Card Stamp Camp on Saturday (each girl will be making 30 cards)

Therefore, for the next four days my posts will be short and sweet.

I have decided to send you some Christmas Card inspiration for these posts.

Here is today's inspiration:

Twelve Weeks of Christmas- Week 5

On the fifth week of Christmas....my demonstrator showed me.....a cute little Santa Suit punch art card!

How cute is this!!!

Supplies Needed: 

Apothecary Accent Framelit Dies
Big Shot
1 inch Circle Punch
Basic Black Cardstoce 8.5 x 5.5
Real Red Cardstock 4x5.25
Whisper White Cardstock- piece large enough to fit the Large Apotecary Accents Framelit to create beard
Basic Black Cardstock - punch out 2 one inch circles
Basic Black Cardstock- 2x4 to create belt
Silver Glimmer Paper 2.5 x 2.5 to create buckle
Basic Black Cardstock 2x2 to finish buckle

Simply cut all your pieces and adhere to card base as shown in the above photo.  I lined the inside of this card with Whisper White cardstock and stamped a greeting with black stazon ink.

What child wouldn't get a big smile on their face when they recieve this card?

Weekly Sketches....

Here is your card sketch challenge for this week:

And here is your scrap sketch challenge for this week: 

Bells & Boughs Card Share

Today's card is shared by one of my card class girls, Carole A.  

She made this beautiful card for her sister, with the Bells & Boughs stamp set found on page 20 (#121142 $17.95) and Cherry Cobbler and Whisper White Card Stock

She colored the images with Stampin Write Markers (page 157 #119806 $135.95). 

Next she used the Labels Collection Framelits (page 191 #125598 $32.95) and her Big Shot (Page 186 #113439 $122.95)to cut out the image. 

Then she took the leftover piece and a larger framelit and cut it again.  

This created the peekaboo frame, that allows the cardstock base color to show through.  

A quick embossing with the Perfect Polka-dot Embossing Folder (page 189 #117335 $9.95) on part of the mat adds some texture and visual interest.  

A quick greeting in the bottom corner with Cherry Cobbler ink finishes off this beauty. 

A BIG thanks to Carole for sharing this with us, and  inspiring others! 

Cardstock Cutting Calculator

In my last card class, I shared a tutorial on how you can stop wasting cardstock, and some tips for getting the most from your cardstock.  And how you can always have cards ready to go for any occasion. 

Today, I wanted to share an AMAZING tool that was shared with me by another demonstrator.  

It is a website that has a calculator that tells you the best way to cut your cardstock so that you have the least amount of waste.  Now there is a great money saving tip for you.   

Here is the link:  

http://www.g3paper.com/publication/imposition.asp

 I love that it shows you what the cut lines look like on your paper. 

All you do is enter the  parent size (8.5 x 11 OR 12x12 OR other odd shaped scrap that I have) and the finished size that I want to have and it tells me how many you can get per sheet and how to cut it.

If you combine the information from this cutting calculator with the tutorial I provided you with last card class....you are going to save yourself a lot! 

Spooky Birthday?

Here is a cute little birthday card I made for my grandson who is having a halloween birthday.....

Halloween Fun

Here are a couple of little Halloween treat holders I made by recycling toilet paper / paper towel tubes:

Twelve Weeks of Christmas- week four

On the fourth week of Christmas, my true love gave to me.....

a lovely bottle of wine with this super cute wine tag.  

You may want to make a few of these little tags- they are quick and easy to make and are a great way to dress up a bottle of wine or even sparkling cider.  

Supplies Used: 

Real Read cardstock 9" x 4"

Be of Good Cheer DSP 8.5" x 3.5"

Whisper White to stamp greeting and stamp snowman image

Snow Much Fun stamp set

Perfect Punches stamp set

Scallop Circle Punch

Memento Black ink

blender pen 

markers and clear acrylic block

real red ink 

Stamp the images on whisper white cardstock with black memento ink

Use markers and scribble some ink onto acrylic block,  Pick up ink with blender pen to color snowman  images.  Cut out snowman image and apply dimensionals to the back. Punch out greeting image and apply dimensionals to the back. 

Apply adhesive to the back of the dsp and adhere to the red cardstock.  Attach images to the dsp as shown in photo.  Score at 3" mark. Using circle punch punch hole for neck of the bottle. 

FREE Inkpads.....

How would you like to get a complete set of one colour family of our brand new ink pads?

All you have to do is agree to host a workshop any time from November 1st to December 16, 2012 and have party sales of $575 or more and you get $64.95 worth of ink pads for FREE!! 


So girls, get out a pen and paper and make a list of who you would invite to a workshop, and then contact me to book a date.  All workshops are held at my home- so I get all the mess and fuss, all you have to do is show up and bring some refreshments for your guests. How easy is that? 

My Digital Studio

Did you know, that My Digital Studio is a program that allows you to create cards and scrapbook pages digitally?

It is a great tool if you are in a rush and need a quick card, or if you do not like storing all the supplies for traditional scrapbooking- with digital all your supplies are on your computer, not taking up valuable space in your home.

Here is a blast from the past....this is the first page I ever created using MDS:

Well, as with all things...MDS has improved with age....and now they have MDS2 available.

Here is some info on how you can try for FREE for 30 days:

My Digital Studio^TM is an intuitive digital design software featuring Stampin' Up!'s® exclusive artwork, colours, and templates. 

Be your own digital designer and create an array of photobooks, cards, calendars, and more--which you can then print using Stampin' Up!'s print services, or save to DVD, e-mail, or upload to the Internet.

 Learn about My Digital Studio, be inspired, and engage in our online community at MyDigitalStudio.net. 

What's New? My Digital Studio makes it easy for you to design and print beautiful projects: Try the MDS 2 software for FREE with our 30-day trial version. Available from your demonstrator's website, or the Stampin' Up! Online Store. Save up to 25 percent on select print products when you purchase in bulk. We release regular, fresh downloads every week for you to use in your designs! Learn more.

Spooky? Scary? nawww just plain cute!

This is a card that I cased off Pinterest.

It features a mummy image that is made by taking strips of whisper white  cardstock, sponging the edges with pumpkin pie ink and then gluing onto a mat to form the mummy image. I love the faux knot- it just finished the card nicely.

 Eyes are simple to make with assorted size circle punches.

Then just mat on pumpkin pie and put on a basic black card base.

How fun and cute!

Saturday Fun...

I wanted to share a photo of a few of my girls having some fun cropping on a Saturday afternoon.  

I think this is a great photo- from left to right are Dorothy, Hayley and Carole.  These girls are a lot of fun alone....but get them together and we have a blast!  Thanks for the memories girls.  

Shortly after this photo was taken, we went to Ronald McDonald House, and donated 128 hand made cards with envelopes, that were made during my first annual Charity Event.  They were very happy to receive the donation, and said that it would be great for the people staying there who have sick children in hospital.  

Have you ever thought about what small thing you could do to make a difference in your community?  Making the cards was lots of work for us...but it sure felt good giving them away and knowing they would be appreciated by the families who has so much already on their mind.

Twelve Weeks of Christmas-week three....

How about some lovely 3D decorations for your home or Christmas tree?

This is my version of the ornament on the front of the Holiday catalogue.

To make this you will need the following supplies:

Ornament Keepsakes Framelit Dies (pg 3 #127816 $30.95)
Ornament Keepsakes Stamp Set (pg 3 #128051 $31.95
Scalloped Tulle Ribbon (page 4 #127841 $8.50)
Tombow Adhesive
Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
Silicone Craft Sheet (pg 31 #127853 $7.50)
Fancy Button like Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons (page 176 #127555 $7.95)
2.5"Circle Punch
1.75" Circle Punch
Real Red Ink
Gumball Green Ink
Real Red Cardstock 12" x 1.5"
Simply Scored Score Board & Stylus

1.  Stamp 20 of large ornaments in gumball green
2.  Stamp 20 of small ornaments in real red
3.  Cut out with dies and Big Shot
4.  Score 15 of each down the center with simply scored
5.  Glue 3 of each of the large ornaments together with Tombow
6.  Glue 3 of each of the small ornaments together with Tombow.
7. Glue each of the ornaments onto the coordinating base ornament.
8.  Now you should have a total  of 5 large and 5 small 3D ornaments
9.  Heat up your glue gun and place large ornaments on silicone craft sheet in desired position
10.  Put a large dollop of hot glue in the center and glue all the large ornaments in desired position.  Now put a ribbon or piece of natural twine in the center for a handle  Let dry.
11.  Pop off the silicone mat and glue to a 2.5 circle punched from cardstock
12.  Place back on the silicone mat and glue the small ornaments in between the large ones.
13.  Take 25 inches of scalloped tulle and cut in half down the center, then  cut each piece into five equal pieces.  You will now have ten pieces each five inches long.
14.  Scrunch the tulle together as shown in photo and glue on each side of small ornaments.
15.  With real red cardstoc 12" x 1.5" score every 1/4 inch on score board and accordion fold
16.  Use sticky strip to adhere ends together.
17.  With 1.75" circle punched from cardstock completely cover with hot glue.
18.  Arrange scored cardstock in lolly shape in glue.
19.  Affix a faceted button in center to hide hole.
20.  Affix to to the ornament piece.

Naturally....

 Have you really given a good look to our specialty designer series papers? 

 I want to talk today about the Natural Composition Designer Series Paper. 

 It is located on page 162 of the annual catalog.  Item #126907 $15.95


It has glossy raised patterns printed on heavy weight Natural paper- simple beauty as it is.  

But wait....look what happens when you ink it: 

The music notes stay the same....but the bacground color takes on your ink color.

The woodgrain stays the same but the background takes on your ink color. 

Just think of all the possibilities....I cannot wait to make a scrapbook page with the floral design and ink it with Elegant Eggplant ink....

Weekly Sketches

Hi Girls!

Here are your weekly sketches......

It's Almost Here.....

STAMPIN' UP! PAPER TRIMMER IS ALMOST HERE!!!

Production is complete and the product you've been waiting for is on its way! 

The Stampin' Trimmers have set sail. 

First stop: the Stampin' Up! warehouse.

 Final destination: your house. 

It will be available to purchase sometime in NOVEMBER!!!

More details to come- stay tuned!!!

for the newlyweds....

This little beauty is a white heart shaped card made using the Hearts Collection Framelits (page 191AC $32.95 #125599) and the Big Shot.

The card base was cut, then the front was embossed with the Lacey Brocade embossing folder ( page 6 HC $9.95 #127819)

The other hearts were cut and then embossed with the Perfect Polka Dots embossing forlder (page 189 AC $9.95 #117335) They were then attached to the card front with dimensionals (page 177 AC $5.25 #104430).

The greeting is from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set (page 133 AC $32.95 #127802)  It was then punched out with the Modern Label Punch (page 183 AC $22.95 #119849).  To finish it off, I embellished with Pearl Basic Jewels (page 175 AC $6.50 #119247)

a cornucopia of Christmas.....

This is a card I made for a sketch challenge.....tons of Christmas images and lots of shapes and colors.

Give Thanks....for extended family....

This is a card  I made for my son's inlaws, who also attended thanksgiving dinner at his house.

It features fabulous fall colors, and the oak tree image from the Lovely As A Tree stamp set ( page 84,$24.95 #127793)  This set is the longest running stamp set, and featurs tree and leaf images that can be used for many occasions.

The cardstock colors used were Cajun Craze, Almost Artichoke and Very Vanilla
The designer series paper is the More Mustard from the Regals Stack

The greeting is from the retired Hand Penned Holidays stamp set

The tree image was stamped with black stazon ink.  Then I colored the trunk and grass area with markers.  Then I "pounced" the markers all over to create different colored leaves.- easy but very pretty, I think.

I sponges some more mustard ink on the greeting to remove some of the whiteness.

Give Thanks...for family....

This year we were invited for Thanksgiving dinner to my youngest son, Jesse's home.
We are very blessed to be able to join him and his family for Thanksgiving meal.
The only thing missing was my eldest son and my parents, who unfortunately live on the east coast.

I made this card for them.

I used the truck from the Countryside stamp set (page 85 $20.95 #120495) for the focal image.  I colored it using ink pads and a bldnder pen, then cut it out and applied dimensionals to the back.

The greeting is from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set (page 133 $32.95 #127802)  This is a super greeting set- something for almost every occasion....and the bonus is that it fits inside the Word Window punch (page183 $21.95 #119857) and the word window punch was layered inside the Modern label punch (page 183 $22.95 #119849)

The leaf background was from the Four Seasons Hostess stamp set on page 203.

Cardstock colors used were Gumball Green, Early Espresso, Garden Green and Naturals White.
Ink Colors for leaves used were Cajun Craze, More Mustard and Always Artichoke

Twelve Weeks of Christmas- Week Two

On the second week of Christmas, my demonstrator inspired me to create:  Christmas Tags! 

There are MANY ways to create handmade Christmas tags for your gifts, but this is about the easiest one I can think of.  

I used a plain manilla shipping tag.  Stamped it with the image and greeting from the Easy Events stamp set (page 34 $30.95#123225).  This is the BEST all occasion stamp set there is! 

 A quick coloring with always artichoke and cherry cobbler markers and I was done.  

I grabbed a sponge and the Always Artichoke ink pad and added some color to the edges boring beige tag.

  Then a piece of Cherry Cobbler seam binding ribbon (page 172 $9.50 #120922) finished it off- quick easy and handmade with love just for my Mom. 

Weekly Sketches

Here are your sketches for this week, enjoy and have FUN!

Card Sketch:

Scrap Sketch: 

You Asked for it, and Stampin' Up! listened....Single Stamps are here....

Now Offering

SINGLE STAMPS We're trying out something new! We're excited to offer you and your customers the chance to buy single pieces from these select stamp sets: Word Play, Perfectly Penned, and Seasonal Sayings. The offer will be available now through January 2, 2013. Details These stamps are available on any order type-customer or online.  You can find the stamp item numbers on the flyers. These won't be sent to you in our typical cases or packaging; they'll be packaged in cello bags. If you'd like a case for your stamp, you can buy our Clear-Mount Stamp Cases that come in packs of four (item 119105). This offer is available for clear-mount stamps only. The stamps won't come with a Clear-Mount Block, and you'll need to buy a block separately if you don't already have one. The recommended block sizes can be found on the flyers.  There's no limit on how many pieces you can buy. This offer is not available in Quebec. Remember that this is a pilot program, so take advantage of it while you can!

Word Play:

Word Play - Single Stamps

U.S.	Canadian	Item Number	Stamp	Block Size
$4.95	$6.25	132294	Sick	C
$4.95	$6.25	132295	I Do	C
$5.95	$7.50	132296	Laughter	D
$4.95	$6.25	132297	Wish Big	C
$6.95	$8.95	132298	In My Thoughts	H
$5.95	$7.50	132299	You Mean the World	D
$4.95	$6.25	132300	Worth the Wait	C
$4.95	$6.25	132301	Imagine	D
$6.95	$8.95	132302	Remember When	I
$4.95	$6.25	132303	Joy	C
$6.95	$8.95	132304	Dreams	E
$4.95	$6.25	132305	Thanks a Million	D

Perfectly Penned:

Perfectly Penned - Single Stamps

U.S.	Canadian	Item Number	Stamp	Block Size
$4.95	$6.25	132306	Thank You	D
$4.95	$6.25	132308	Get Well	C
$5.95	$7.50	132307	Celebrate Today	H
$5.95	$7.50	132309	Happy Birthday	H

Seasonal Sayings:

Seasonal Sayings - Single Stamps

U.S.	Canadian	Item Number	Stamp	Block Size
$5.95	$7.50	132310	Christmas	H
$5.95	$7.50	132311	Halloween	H
$5.95	$7.50	132312	Thanks	H
$4.95	$6.25	132313	Love	D
$